Largest archive of high resolution LIDAR data for England & Wales now available for immediate download

May 17, 2010 — The Environment Agency’s Geomatics Group, a leader in high quality LIDAR survey and remote sensing data capture, has launched a new web-based portal, allowing customers to access and purchase highly accurate elevation data online, from the group’s extensive archive of LIDAR data.

Captured over a period of 12 years, Geomatics Group holds the largest collection of high resolution LIDAR data for England & Wales. Currently, with over 65% (98,225 sq km) already mapped, at a range of spatial resolutions ranging from 25cm to 2m, the archive is constantly being updated, with new areas surveyed and existing areas re-flown to gather higher resolution data. The database includes many major urban areas, as well as rural flood plains and coastal zones.

“The online portal will allow our customers to search and download from our vast archive of high quality, accurate height data for immediate delivery”; commented Paul Williams, Head of Geomatics Group. “We have spent over 12-months developing and testing this best-in-class geospatial hosting and transactional web portal and are delighted that this new service will enable many more professionals to access our data quickly and efficiently.”

“Being able to access this extensive, high resolution dataset online and download direct to my desktop is a real advantage,” stated Steve Webster, Principal Engineer at Halcrow. “We use the data specifically for flood risk assessment and require highly accurate, up-to-date and consistent data, which Geomatics Group always delivers.”

The Environment Agency’s Geomatics Group are widely considered to be at the scientific and technological forefront of LIDAR data acquisition in the UK, having been the first organisation in the UK to use LIDAR for civil purposes in the late 90’s. Height data is collected using stateof-the-art airborne LIDAR systems and undergoes customised processing, refined over many years, to deliver the highest quality DSM and DTM elevation models. The group’s survey and data processing procedures include stringent quality control and are ISO accredited.

Geomatics Group height data is already used extensively within the Environment Agency, as well as by local and national government, NGO’s, academia and commercial organisations.